Talking machine



P 1941- J. L. ROUTIN 2,256,578

- .TALKING MACHINE Filed June 25, 193 8 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ZNVENTOR, JoSEPH L. ROUTIN- Awe/emu Sept. 23, 1941.

J. L. ROUTIN TALKING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 [NI/E N TOR TTORNEY FiledJune 25, 1938 &

, JOSEPH L. QouTm.

p 1941- J. L. ROUTIN 2,256,578

TALKING MACHINE Filed June 25, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR: IosEPH L.QouTxN.

' ATTORNEY/ Sept. 23, 1941. J. L. ROUTIN TALKING MACHINE 4 Sheets-She et4 Filed June 25, 1938 T M W 0 L w '2 6 H WM .9 E

ATTORNE Y Patented Sept. 23, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TALKINGMACHINE Joseph Louis Routin, Paris, France Application June 25, 1938,Serial No. 215.789 In France July 2, 1937 Claims. (01. 27414) Theinvention relates, in particular, to applications of talking machines(phonographs or pick-up) to the study of foreignlanguages by using thetwo principles of sub-dividing and repetition; and, the object of theinvention is a. device whereby, on the one hand, the audition of a discmay be quickly suspended at any time for any length of time, and, on theother hand, the renewal of the audition is assured at a predeterminedpoint of the recording. I

In accordance with the invention, one uses for this purpose, incombination with a talking machine, an apparatus which obtains therepetition at any part whatsoever of the recording, characterized by thefact that it comprises a thin and rigid strip which is provided withguiding means permitting it to slide between the reproducing soundneedle (or pick-up) and the disc in the direction of the rotation of thedisc, the so-called strip being provided with a groove (or canal) withsides flared in the general form of a V, the ends of the flaringcorresponding to two grooves on the disc defining the passage which isto be repeated, and the groove (or canal) being shaped in such a way asto bring the needle into the place in an outside groove of the disc.

Figures 1 and 2 schematically give an example of the invention, showingrespectively in plan and elevation, how the invention is realized.

Figure 3 shows a section through AB of Figure 1.

Figures 4 and 5 show respectively in plan and in elevation, with partsin section, a variation of the repeating apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 6 shows a section along XY of Figure 4.

Figure 7 shows a detail of Figures 4 and 5.

Figure 8 shows a section along WZ of Figure '7.

Figure 9 shows a tool for adaptation of the discs in the case where thearrangement shown in Figures 4 and 5 is used.

Figures 10 and 11 schematically show the devices which avoid all shock,between the needle and disc as well as between the repeater and needle.

Figure 12 shows a form of realization of one of the devices shown inFigures 10 and 11.

Figures 13 and 14 schematically show respectively in elevation and inplan a mechanism comprising two abutments arranged to stop the repeaterrespectively in the positions of silence and audition, the repeaterbeing of a modified form.

Figure 15 shows a variation of the abutments shown in Figures 13 and 14,which stop the repeater in the position of audition.

In Figures 1, 2 and 3, I designates the motor axis of the talkingmachine which turns in the direction indicated by arrow F, and on whichis mounted the table 2 which supports a disc 3; 4 designates a thin andrigid strip, the one extremity of which has a hole in which is engagedthe axis I; 5 designates a slide mounted on strip 4, as is shown inFigure 3; 6 designates a screw which looks slide 5 to strip 4; ldesignates a groove in 5 and the shape of which is such that when thereproducing needle is in one of the grooves of the record disc betweenSI and S2, in displacing by hand the slide 4 in the direction of thearrow F, one brings about firstly, because of the ramp RI the raising ofthe needle; then, because of the curved side C, which acts as a cam, thereturn of the needle; and, finally, because of the ramp R2, the settingin place, without shock, of the needle on the disc, the setting in placewhich, because of the guiding of the points bl and b2, is efiectedexactly on the record groove SI, regardless of the position which theneedle occupied at the moment where it had been raised; 8 designates aVernier comprised of a graduated scale fixed to 5 which may be displacedbefore a graduation on 4.

In order to use the device just described, one proceeds in the followingmanner:

The slide 4 being immovable while held at its end between the thumb andthe index finger of the right hand, one grasps the arm of the phonographby the left hand and sets the strip and the arm of the phonograph insuch a way that the reproducing needle comes to rest in groove I. Takingcare to avoid any stopping, one holds the end of the slide slightlyraised as well during the period of audition as during the interval ofsilence.

This putting'in place being done, the use comprises the following steps:

In order to obtain the audition, first of all turn the repeater stripslowly in the direction of the rotation of the disc until the needle isabout one millimeter from the edge; then, let the strip rest on the discand let it stay thus; finally, quickly remove the right hand in such away as not to stop the strip-which is now turning with the rotation ofthe disc, before it strikes against the needle.

In order to suspend the audition, turn the strip by always holding itslightly raised, in such a way that the needle, after being engaged inIn Figures 4, 5, 6, '7, 8 and 9 where the parts of the phonograph aredesignated same as before L designates a repeater strip constituted of arectangular metallic section which has been slightly bent so that it ishigher at the longitudinal center'thereof and slopes laterally anddownwardly from the center to the edges; 9,

I and II designate pieces which are. fixed on L and which delimit sixgrooves of generally V form designated A, B, C, D, Eland F112 designatesa cylindrical hub mounted'to turnin H under light frictional engagementsuch as mor mally presents turning, and having an eccentric hole 13; [-4designates a socket member," the perforation of which is slightlyconical; and which is integral with i2; i5 designates a button rigidwith l2 and in which is a cylindrical flaring opening l8; I1 designatesa graduated dial integral with 15 which is used in combination with afixed index iii traced on H; i9 designates a washer of bent steelinterposed between H and I to oppose to the rotation of 15 by the torquedue to a predetermined frictional engagement between the parts; 20designates a brass tube or hood; closed at its upper end and having atitslower part threeU'shaped' cuts, the metal between the sides of the Ushapes being pressed to the inside to provide threeincurved'projections- 2 I, 22 and 23which aresupportedby threeequi-distant suri a'ces on the free end of the shaft to very easilyadjust the. central perforation of the disc to the diameter of the hood,which assures an exact precision in the markings of the paragraphs onthe record disc.

The adjunction of the socket l4 prevents the end of the eccentric ring II from striking against the disc, as soon as the handle I0 is raised.

The cylindrical flaring opening 56 of the button l5 and the conicity ofthe perforation of.

be obtained by a layer of nickel-cobalt alloy,

or even by tempering or nitriding; The other-parts. of the repeater aremade by preference of nickel steel and fixed to L by electric welding.For variation, this attachment may also be made by the help of rivets oreyelets. V One may use needles of the bent type which present notablythe advantage of being more easily raised by the horizontal displacementof the section L.

In order to prevent theneedle from sliding,

the length of the strip, it will sufiice to cut fine l; '24 and 25designate two bands of very thin and very: supple leather which arefixed to L,

in such a way that the parts which are interposed between the bevels orlateral slopesof L and the disc conserve all their suppleness; 26

and 21 design-ate the points of-attachment used for 24;-2-8 designates areamer'permitting the enlargement of the orifice of the disc in such away that its'diameter is exactly equal to that of hood 2!) and which isconstituted of a piece displacement is slightly higher than the distance7 which'separate's two adjacent grooves, it will be evident that it isalways-possible after having the apparatus so that the needle is placedat a predetermined distance from the'center of the record disc. It is tobe noted that with this form of realization, each 'marking will thuscomlength by turning the button l5; and; under the condition that themaximum amplitude of; this selected the groove which is suitable, toregulate prise the two indications of the groove and of,

the graduated dial.

Alsofone sees that the useof the hood 20 always keeps at the samestandard" value the diameter and length of the end of the shaft on whichthe repeater should be mounted. One also M sees that the'use of thereamer allows operators saw teeth -(notshown) along the edge on whichthe needle israised. One can also, at the same time, shape this edgefollowing the arc ofthe circle described'by the needle, as shown in alater described modification. V p

In the schematic Figures 10 and 11 3 designates the disc and F thedirection of its displacement. La; designates a repeater strip insection; 3! designates the body of the reproducer; 32 designates theneedle held by a screw 33; 35 designates arod, attached to reproducer31, which terminates in a blunt point and the length of which isregulated in such a Way that it never bears on the disc and during theaudi 'tion it is at a distance from the disc slightlyless than thethickness of La 35 designates a rod fixed on reproducer 3+ whichterminates in a blunt point and thelength of which is regulated V insuch a way that it never bears on'the disc and during the audition it isat a distance from 'positionis shown inFigure 11 and in which theneedlepoint is a little below La; then progressive lowering of the slideLa until the needlel32 is in contact with the disc; and, finally, at thebeginning of the audition, release the slide to rotate withthe disc.

It is clear that in operating, asf-just described, the rod 35 will actasa shock-absorber and will assure renewal of contact between: theneedle and the disc with mere gentleness. than if the hand directlytouched thereproduoer itself r In this case, one will" note "that it isno 'rnore as before, 7

necessary that the slide be bevelled along the edge which is the outletof the needle.

The rod 34 will be engaged in the grooves, but the rod 35 will bear,from preference, on the surface of the divisions which separate theslots.

In order to permitregulation of their length, the rods 34 and 35 shouldbe constituted of screws with blunt points, mounted on fixed parts ofthe reproducer.

For variation, one may, as is shown in Figure 12, mountthe rod 35 in thehousing of the reproducer reserved for the needle and fix on this rod35, a piece 35a, in which the needle will be fastened by a screw 35b;and this variation presents the advantage of the ensemble 35, 35a, 35b,the mounting of which on the reproducer may be easily efiected by alloperators.

InFigures 13 and 14, as before, 3 designates the disc which is displacedin the direction of the arrow F; Lb designates a repeater strip shaped,as described hereinafter; 35 designates the upper wall of the phonographbox; designates an abutment constituted of a metallic section whichcomprises a stop shoulder 46 and a ramp of approach 41; 52 designates acylindrical stem integral with 45 which can slide in socket 53 and whichhas a stop pin 54; 55 designates a lever which turns about 55 and whicha spring 51 tends to raise until 54 strikes against 53; 58 designates apush-button which permits, by turning 55, the progressive lowering ofabutment 45; 59 designates a second abutment constituted of a metallicsection incurved following the arc of a circle concentric to the discand which comprises a stop shoulder 60, a ramp of approach 6| and aguiding rail 52; 63 and 54 designate two tabs which attach 59 to 35.

For the realization of this particular application, the two sides of therepeater strip Lb which produce the raising and the lowering of theneedle, have been shaped, as is shown in Figure 14, following the arc ofa circle described by the point of the needle; and the ensemble is thuscharacterized as a tailed comet. Also the reproducer 31 (see Figure 11)should be provided with a shock absorber playing the role of rod 35 (seeFigure 11) The abutment 45 is mounted in such a way as to stop the stripin the position which is shown in Figure 11 and which corresponds tosilence; and the abutment 59 is mounted in such a way as to stop thestrip in a position which corresponds to audition.

In order to pass the strip from the position of audition to the positionof silence one should first of all slightly raise Lb in order to pass itover the stop shoulder 59, then, after having placed it on the guidingrail 52 which keeps it away from the disc, one displaces it toward theleft until it is stopped by 45.

In order to pass the slide from the silent position to the auditionposition, it sufiices to press the push-button 58 until the stopshoulder 45 is below the surface of the disc; the slide is then taken upin the movement of rotation of the disc and comes, due to its inertia,to place itself in the position shown in Figure 14, against the stopshoulder 65 of the abutment 59.

In Figure 15, 65 designates a crank lever which may turn about axis 66fixed at 59, and the horizontal arm of which has a stop 46a whichreplaces the stop 45 of Figures 13 and 14, While the vertical arm isconstantly acted on by spring 61 to apply itself against an abutment 68;69 designates a push button fixed to Lb,

This, variation presents the advantage of avoiding the raising of theslide'in order to pass over the stop shoulder 46a of the auditionabutment; one sees in effect immediately that it suffices to press 0x159so that the horizontal arm of 65 is inclined and the stop 45a is loweredbelow the guiding rail 52.

What is claimed is: p

1. A repeater device to be used with a soundreproducingmachine having arotatable table carried by a spindle projecting above the table, thetable carrying a grooved record disc along in its rotation, and aliftable reproducer including a needle for engagement in the grooves ofthe disc during reproduction, said repeater device comprising anelongated, narrow strip longer than the radius of the disc extendinggenerally radially of the disc and having one end thereof provided withan opening pivotally engaging the spindle and having its other endformed with a handle to be grasped by the operator to permit raising itand swinging it about its pivot at will, means for supporting said endof the strip in raised position off the record in position to raise theneedle off the record and in another position, during reproduction,entirely free of the reproducer and its needle, said strip carrying atleast one transverse groove extending across the strip in its upperface. and comprising guiding means cooperating with a part on thereproducer whereby to lift the needle and move it back at will, saidgroove having flaring sides, the distance between the sides at theflared end corresponding to the distance between two record groovesdefining the maximum amplitude of the passage to berepeated, the sidesof the groovebeing shaped to lead the needle, after it is raised by thestrip enga ging said part on the reproducer and in the swinging movementof the strip about its pivot, back into the outside groove of theselected passage, and means associated with said strip for regulating,at will, the distance of the groove from the spindle axis, whereby anyselected short or long passage of the record may be repeated at will.

2. A repeater device to be used with a soundreproducing machine having arotary table supported and driven by a spindle projecting above thetable, the table carrying a spirally grooved record disc along in itsrotation, a liftable reproducer including a needle for engagement in thegrooves of the disc during recording, said repeater device comprising anelongated narrow strip longer than the radius of the disc extendinggenerally radially of the disc and having one end thereof provided withan opening pivotally engaging the spindle and having its other endformed with a handle to be grasped by the operator to permit raising itand swinging it about its pivot, at will, means for supporting saidhandle end of the strip, first, in a position in which it supports thereproducer with its needle raised off the disc, and second, in aposition, during reproduction, entirely free of the grooved portion ofthe record and the reproducer and its needle, said strip having a seriesof transverse grooves in its upper face extending substantially thewidth of the grooved portion of the record disc, said grooves comprisingguiding means cooperating with a part on the reproducerwhereby to liftthe needle ofi the record and move it back, each of said grooves havingflaring sides and being disposed one after the other lengthwise of thestrip and having their adjacent flared sides intersect along one marginof the strip and their nar- 5 row ends arranged in spaced relation alongthe other margin of the strip, the grooves permitting, by propermanipulation of the strip, the repetition of any selected short or longportion oi the record.

3. A repeater device to be used With a sound reproducing machine havinga rotating table carcomprising an elongated, narrow strip longer thanthe radius of the disc, extending generally radially of, the disc andhaving one end thereof provided, with an opening pivotally engaging the-spindle and having'its other end formed with a handle to be grasped bythe operator tov permit, raising it and swinging it about its pivot atwill, said strip carrying at least one transverse groove in its upperface comprising guiding means cooperating with, a partlon the reproducerwhereby to ;lift the needle off the record and moveit back at will, saidgroove having flaring 'sides the distance between the sides at theflared end of the groove corresponding to the distance between tworecord grooves defining the maximum amplitude of the passage to berepeated, the sides of the groove being shaped to lead the needle, afterit is raised by the strip engaging said part on the reproducer and inthe swinging movement of, the strip about its pivot, back into theoutside groove of the 7 selected passage, and means associated with thestrip for regulating, at will; the distance of said groove from thespindle axis, the means for regulating the distance of the groove fromthe spindle axis comprising a rotary member eccentric to the spindleaxis and engaging the spindle through an opening in said member, saidmember-being rotatably mounted in the adjacent end ofthe strip, therotary adjustment of said eccentric shifting the strip and the groovecarried thereby endwise. V

4. A repeater device to be used with a sound reproducing machine havinga rotating table carried by a spindle projecting above the table, thetable carrying a grooved record disc along in its rotation, and aliftable reproducer including a needle for engagement with the, groovesin said disc, said repeater device being arranged, during reproduction,entirely free of the reproducer and-its needle, being capable of repeating, at will, anydesired part of the record disc and comprising anelongated, narrow strip longer than the radius of the disc, extendinggeneraily radially of the disc andhaving one end thereof a handle to begrasped by the operator to, permit back at will, said groove-havingflaring sides, the distance between the sides at the flared end of thegroove corresponding to the distance between two record grooves definingthe maximum amplitude of the passage to be repeated, the sides of thegroove being shaped to lead the needle, after it is raised by'the stripengaging said part on the reproducer and in the swinging movement of thestrip about its pivot, back into the outside groove of the selectedpassage, and means associated with the strip for regulating, at will,the distance'of said groove from the spindle axis,

7 the means for regulating the distance of the groove from the spindleaxis comprising a rotary member eccentric to th spindle axis andengaging the spindle through an opening in said 7 member, said memberbeing rotatably mounted in the adjacent end of the strip and beingprovided with a knob for rotatingit, and agraduated scale carried by theknob and cooperatingv with an index on the strip for indicating theadjustment.

5. A repeater device to be used with a sound reproducing machine havinga rotating table carducer and its needle, being capable of repeating, atwill, any desired part of the record disc and comprising an elongated,narrow strip longer I than the radius of the disc, extending generallyradially of the disc and having one end thereof provided with an openingpivotally engaging the spindle and having its other end formed with ahandle to be grasped by the operator to permit 1 raising it and swingingit about its pivot at will, said strip'carrying at least one transversegroove in its upper face comprising guiding means cooperating with aparton the reproducer whereby to lift the needle off ther'ecord and moveit back raising it and swinging it about its pivot at will,

at will, said groove having flaring sides, the distance between thesides at the flared end of the groove corresponding to the distancebetween two record grooves defining the maximum amplitude of the passagetobe repeated, the sides of the groove being shaped to lead the needle,'afterit is raised by the'strip engaging said part on the reproducer andin the swinging movement of the strip about its pivot, back into theoutside groove of the selected passage, and means associated with thestrip for regulating, at will, the distance of said groove from thespindle axis, two circumferentially spaced supports being associatedwith the machine casing radially outwardly of the rotating table, saidsupports being arranged in cooperative relation with the strip toalternately engage the handle end of the strip, one positioned to holdthe strip raised off the record disc'and out of contact with thereproducer and its needle while the needle is in engagement with thedisc, and the other positioned to hold the needle in raised positionout'of engagement with the disc.

